Tasty Ice Cream Sandwich details drip out of redacted screenshots

Some early screenshots of Ice Cream Sandwich shed some light on user interface …

During a keynote at the Google I/O developer conference in May, Google revealed that the next major version of its Android mobile operating system would offer a unified interface across tablets and smartphones. The update, which is codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), is reportedly going to launch on an impressive new Nexus device.

Although no official launch date has been set for ICS, a Q4 release has been anticipated. Some early details leaked out this week via RootzWiki and the Android Police blog. Both sources have published heavily-redacted photos that show certain elements of the ICS user interface running on the Nexus S.

One of the photos on RootzWiki shows a new application drawer that looks unmistakably like a phone-sized version of the tabbed launcher in in Honeycomb. Both sites report that blue is the new green, appearing prominently in the user interface and in various icons. Other alleged changes include a visual overhaul for the Gmail application and new panorama mode for the camera software.

Interestingly, the screenshot that Android Police has published with the system info screen lists the string "IceCreamSandwich" as the Android version rather than an actual version number. I'd ordinarily consider that suggestive of a fake, but they claim that their source is reliable and that Google simply hasn't decided on the actual version number yet.

Apple's next-generation iPhone and a major iOS update are expected to land in the next two months. If Google can get ICS into the hands of consumers on new hardware within the next few months (especially if the new Nexus device has breakthrough specs, as rumored), it would do a lot to help Android's position in the market going into the holiday shopping season.

If Google can get ICS into the hands of consumers on new hardware within the next few months (especially if the new Nexus device has breakthrough specs, as rumored), it would do a lot to help Android's position in the market going into the holiday shopping season.

Considering how most vendors are only now getting Gingerbread out to handsets that have been shipping since the early part of the year, that seems like a pretty tall order. I honestly don't think we'll see Ice Cream Sandwich (or Mango for that matter) on a carrier-branded handset until 2012.

1) Google never puts the version nickname in the about menu, so the fact that it reads "Ice Cream Sandwich" rather than 3.x is very suspicious. 2)There's also no good reason to black out the end of the Kernel version unless you want to cover up a mod tag. 3) And, speaking of the kernel, ICS was allegedly supposed to use kernel 3.0, and the kernel version number in the screenshot is the same as the kernel for Gingerbread.

If Google can get ICS into the hands of consumers on new hardware within the next few months (especially if the new Nexus device has breakthrough specs, as rumored), it would do a lot to help Android's position in the market going into the holiday shopping season.

Considering how most vendors are only now getting Gingerbread out to handsets that have been shipping since the early part of the year, that seems like a pretty tall order. I honestly don't think we'll see Ice Cream Sandwich (or Mango for that matter) on a carrier-branded handset until 2012.

The Nexus S was available to buy within 10 days of 2.3 being "released". I imagine the gold version of software will go to whoever is developing the new Nexus well before hand and we'll see at least a couple of devices coming out right at release.

But it took more than a month to role it out for the Nexus One, so I doubt there'll be many phones running it this year. Supposedly the update process will be improved - by how much is the question.

I'm with MAFIAAfire though, let people know what the heck is going on so we can plan ahead. Microsoft has gone over a lot of Mango (not enough for my liking), 500 new features, what's being expanded, etc. Apple had a big iOS preview, showing all sorts of things for developers. For the "open" Android we know what it'll be called and have some terrible redacted screenshots. No idea what it's like to develop for or use.

Yum... I have a new Droid Charge that was delivered this morning, but that is for my wife (she has to upgrade to a smartphone by 8/15 to keep her VZ unlimited plan - we were hoping the Bionic would come out 8/4). I'm waiting for the new Nexus... paying $24/mo for unlimited VZ data on my dumbphone just to be grandfathered when I do finally upgrade to a smartphone.

With the stuff blacked out, the picture looks like a piece of plastic with all of that stuff printed on it. Even if ICS has UI changes, this doesn't get into anything worthwhile. Rumors based on rumors, I'll wait for the final product to ship.

1) Google never puts the version nickname in the about menu, so the fact that it reads "Ice Cream Sandwich" rather than 3.x is very suspicious. 2)There's also no good reason to black out the end of the Kernel version unless you want to cover up a mod tag. 3) And, speaking of the kernel, ICS was allegedly supposed to use kernel 3.0, and the kernel version number in the screenshot is the same as the kernel for Gingerbread.

This is from someone at Google. So,

1) Doesn't apply. This is not a released build or built from publicly available source code.2) The name of the machine the kernel was built on displays there, so if the builder wants to hide his identity, yes there is very good reason to black it out.3) a) that's just a rumor, it hasn't really even made it onto desktops or servers yet, and b) just because it's running on 2.6 now doesn't mean it won't run on 3.0 later.

My only interest in ICS is for how easy it will be to back port it to our 'older' devices. The XDA community (plus others) has done a fantastic job at doing the work that manufacturers should be doing to keep older phones up-to-date.

Hopefully that will continue and I'll be able to keep my Optimus One relevant for the entire life of my contract, otherwise It won't matter to me, I'll be pondering which phone to get that has the version after ICS (Jammy dodger? Jaffa cake? Jam roly-poly?).

My only interest in ICS is for how easy it will be to back port it to our 'older' devices. The XDA community (plus others) has done a fantastic job at doing the work that manufacturers should be doing to keep older phones up-to-date.

Hopefully that will continue and I'll be able to keep my Optimus One relevant for the entire life of my contract, otherwise It won't matter to me, I'll be pondering which phone to get that has the version after ICS (Jammy dodger? Jaffa cake? Jam roly-poly?).

Actually, I will be extremely disappointed if the next version of Android isn't "Jujube!"

Seriously, I agree wholeheartedly about the availability of source for this to be the big deal. I have been running custom ROMs from XDA and Slatedroid since getting my tablet last year and am looking forward to a common interface for tab and phone. Of course, it will probably just turn out to be another lie from Google. Remember, they originally said they would be releasing the so-called "open" source code for Honeycomb and that turned out to be pure horseshit. Man, Google is really starting to resemble another software giant that has been mistrusted a lot.

So tired of dealing with this shit. I plan on going back to an iPhone. I know I'll get the updates. No worrying about whether Motorola will decide to stop supporting my 12 month old handset or decide to cripple great hardware with their MotoBlur crap. Tired of the BS.

1) Doesn't apply. This is not a released build or built from publicly available source code.2) The name of the machine the kernel was built on displays there, so if the builder wants to hide his identity, yes there is very good reason to black it out.3) a) that's just a rumor, it hasn't really even made it onto desktops or servers yet, and b) just because it's running on 2.6 now doesn't mean it won't run on 3.0 later.

I think this is legit and from a Google engineer.

Honeycomb uses a newer kernel 2.6.36, and even Cyanogen uses 2.6.37. I can kind of see the logic behind the version name, but even if this is an extremely early build of ICS, I can't see any reason why it would be using the same kernel as Gingerbread. Just using the same kernel as Honeycomb would make it more believable.

Even the word of a Google engineer doesn't really mean much, because there have been too many stories leaked by Google engineers that have turned out false.

And, if credible, it's too early to know what the final product will look like.

I could care less about icons and colors (that's all easily changed by the user), but there was no mention of performance or anything under-the-hood.

If it is, as AndroidPolice claims, mostly UI changes it will be a major disappointment.

Isn't this the release that's going to unify the phone & tablet codebases, ala iOS 4.2? That involves some pretty significant under-the-hood changes. Not the most exciting for the end user, maybe, but important for the future of the platform.

So tired of dealing with this shit. I plan on going back to an iPhone. I know I'll get the updates. No worrying about whether Motorola will decide to stop supporting my 12 month old handset or decide to cripple great hardware with their MotoBlur crap. Tired of the BS.

Uh, then get a Google Nexus S or LG G2x or HTC whatever. Just because Moto sucks doesn't mean you can't get a clean officially supported build of android on a phone.

Because you will be trading one type of shit for another. Been there, done that.

So tired of dealing with this shit. I plan on going back to an iPhone. I know I'll get the updates. No worrying about whether Motorola will decide to stop supporting my 12 month old handset or decide to cripple great hardware with their MotoBlur crap. Tired of the BS.

Couldn't agree more. I have a Motorola handset that hit the market ~9 months ago, and they seem to have abandoned it at 2.2 (with bugs in their Android implementation to boot). Great hardware, mediocre software, horrible support. Probably first & last Android phone for me.

what kind of a name is that for a new release of android ? I mean are they really serious to expect the masses the take them seriously with such names ? What next, bag of potato chips or perhaps, bacon & eggs ?

1) Google never puts the version nickname in the about menu, so the fact that it reads "Ice Cream Sandwich" rather than 3.x is very suspicious. 2)There's also no good reason to black out the end of the Kernel version unless you want to cover up a mod tag. 3) And, speaking of the kernel, ICS was allegedly supposed to use kernel 3.0, and the kernel version number in the screenshot is the same as the kernel for Gingerbread.

Here's a bit more of a revealing picture:

Ice Cream Sandwich using an older kernel than all Honeycomb releases (3.0/3.1/3.2) does raise a few questions regarding both the age and source of this build.

krimane wrote:

what kind of a name is that for a new release of android ? I mean are they really serious to expect the masses the take them seriously with such names ? What next, bag of potato chips or perhaps, bacon & eggs ?

Windows Phone, iOS and Android are all getting meaty updates soon. This can only be awesome for consumer choice in features and platform, right?

Well, you mentioned the two market leaders, but the other OS you mentioned isn't third, heck it isn't even in fourth place. For example, Samsung Bada has more market share than Windows Phone, is rising fast, and also has a big new update coming out soon (Bada 2.0, around September).

Bada, Windows Phone, WebOS etc. do provide some consumer choice, but let's face it, they don't seem to have much of a chance to dislodge the two market leaders from controlling that space. Which is very sad.

what kind of a name is that for a new release of android ? I mean are they really serious to expect the masses the take them seriously with such names ? What next, bag of potato chips or perhaps, bacon & eggs ?

Judging by your previous posts, you are dumb and a troll.

thx4f wrote:

Really cool. What a terrible name. Are they trying to drive off sales?

Really cool. Did you just register to post pointless shit just to promote your lame ass site? GFY.

Google are already leading the market - I don't think they need to worry about traction. Litigation from companies who can't convince consumers to buy their product, sure, but not the product in and of itself.

Google are already leading the market - I don't think they need to worry about traction. Litigation from companies who can't convince consumers to buy their product, sure, but not the product in and of itself.

Apple is the single leading smartphone device manufacturer. They make more money on iOS devices than all Android manufacturers combined (afaik).

This is nothing against Android. I like competition, makes it better for the customer in the end. I just wanted to set the record straight.

Windows Phone, iOS and Android are all getting meaty updates soon. This can only be awesome for consumer choice in features and platform, right?

I disagree. As I see it, Android, iOS and Windows Phone are all pretty much similar.Maemo / N900 was a real alternative - a totally different way of presenting the smartphone: basically a proper unrestricted palmtop computer with a user interface for making calls and doing typical phone stuff.

Choices are actually getting more limited. Manufacturers on all sides have decided to heavily restrict what users can do with the hardware, what software you can run and how you can obtain it.

Android will never be on my radar to buy until Google transfer the power to upgrade the OS away from the carrier and into the hands of the user/Google. Apple are guilty of a lot of things but the way their support approach is pretty good.